French Air Force operations continue Mali with 90 missions in 3 days including 30 air strikes 130213

Saturday, February 09, 2013, 4 enemy vehicles with armed Islamist rebels onboard were identified by a patrol of French fighter aircraft Mirage 2000D in region of Gouma, between the cities of Gao and Timbuktu. In close collaboration with Mirage 2000D fighter aircraft, two attack helicopters TIGRE, and one a helicopter PUMA, two of rebel vehicles were engaged and neutralized.

After the airborne operations on Tessalit airport, the 7 and 8 February, the engineer paratroopers of the 17e RGP (17th Engineer Airborne Regiment) continue to repair and clean the trackway which is now ready to be used by the military transport aircraft for the supply of ground forces in the area.

The security in the city of Tessalit is ensured by French soldiers of the 1er RIMa (1st Marine Infantry Regiment), 1er RCP (1st Parachute Chasseur Regiment) and Chadian soldiers.

In Gao, center of the French operations in the north of Mali, has been the target of three terrorist attacks during the weekend. These attacks were quickly controlled by the Malian armed forces and the help of French soldiers with VAB 4x4 armoured vehicle personnel carrier and attack helicopter Tiger. Today the situation in Gao is calm and under the control of Malian armed forces and African soldiers of the MISMA (International Mission of Support in Mali).

Soldiers from Niger and Mali patrolled downtown Gao on foot Tuesday, combing the sand footpaths through empty market stalls to prevent radical Islamic fighters from returning to this embattled city in northern Mali.

Malian troops are now deployed in the cities of Gao, Sévaré, Tombouctou, Konna, Douentza, Diabali et Markala.

The numbers of African soldiers of the MISMA reach so today nearly 4100 soldiers including 1,800 Chadian troops.